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DEVELOPMENT:

MORINGA PROJECTS

Compiled by:

Mr DR du Toit

Contact details: duprins@mweb.co.za

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1. INTRODUCTION

Moringa has recently received a lot of attention in the press, yet few people understand the

background and true value of the tree. Misconceptions are widespread. Many yield and income

predictions are overstated and incorrect. This situation opens the door to unhealthy business

practices that would only harm the moringa industry in the long run. All information supplied via

the web and press, in general, have limited application to African conditions. This document

must be seen as an introduction to the business plan development for potential Moringa projects

in Africa. This is an introduction to the services that we as a consultancy group can render to

possible investors and stake holders in the Moringa industry.

2. VISION

The vision "The Moringa Tree" is to develop sustainable production systems for moringa and

other crops that can be implemented in Africa for long term financial gain, job creation and

poverty alleviation in rural areas. We work from a conservative and responsible point of view

and favour an integrated farming system with the production of both primary and secondary

moringa products and by thus reducing risk to the minimum and optimizing the potential for long

term success of moringa and other projects. All recommendations are science based and if

possible tested under practical production conditions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr DR du Toit ( BSc (Agric) Plant Production, BSc (Agric) Hons Horticulture and B Hons

Institutionis Agrariae) is an agronomist and horticulturist. He has 20 years experience in the

set-up and management of commercial nursery greenhouse operations and horticultural

consultancy. Recent bio-fuel and food security projects that Mr du Toit has been involved in

include:

2005: Production of 100 000 saplings (Moringa oleifera & Pappea capensis) for Mafikeng Bio-

diesel Company

2007: Feasibility study: Preliminary design and management proposal for the East Caprivi

Irrigated Biodiesel Project. By Agro-Projects Dev. (N.Y) L.P (Israel) under Dr D Dvoskin for

LL Biofuel Plt. Windhoek Namibia. The study included Biodiesel market analysis, assessment of

proposed irrigated project area, assessment of potential crops (including moringa), initial

investment costs, design of water delivery system and irrigation design, crop production systems

including nursery set-up, economic and financial analysis including short and long term crop

budget models, socio-economic impact and final business plan. The final report as well as

recommendations are confidential and the property of LL Bio-fuels.

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2008: Assessment of potential for Biofuel and production of Other Crops in Katanga Province,

Democratic Republic of Congo. Submitted to Mei Golan, Navon- Levi Group (Israel) by Dr D

Dvoskin and D.R. du Toit on behalf of Agro- Projects Dev. (N.Y) L.P (Israel).

In this study the potential for bio-fuel feedstock and other food crop production was examined

for 3 areas in the Katanga province, DRK. The study included the assessment of current

infrastructure, survey of production areas, soil sampling, assessment of water availability and

quality for irrigation from the Congo River and other sources, current socio-economic conditions

and potential impact. Recommendations of the report included potential investment into

infrastructure, agriculture production systems, crop budget models, post harvest and industrial

processing. The final report is confidential and the property of Mei Golan, Navon-Levi Group

Israel.

2011: The Business Plan Model. Establishment and commercialization of Moringa crops for

poverty alleviation, job creation, food security and bio-fuel production in proposed sites in

Gauteng Province. Compiled for the Innovation Hub 2011. Part of team and responsible for on

farm cost and development of economic model for the production system. The final report is

confidential.

2012: Production of 70 000 Moringa Seedlings for the Moloto Moringa Project

3. BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT

We are able to develop a business plan for any proposed production system and product to be

produced. Depending on funding, different areas would be addressed. In general the plans consist

of:

General overview of Moringa/ crop (Horticultural aspects as well as current production)

Production plan including Job creation, processing etc. (Developed to client’s needs)

Sapling production plan

Economic model/plan including financials (needed for funding)

Marketing overview and potential

Contingencies and conclusion.

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3.1 Overview of Moringa

Moringa oleifera Lam. belongs to a monogeneric family of shrubs and trees, Moringaceae. M.

oleifera is cultivated throughout the Middle East and in most of the tropical belt. It was

introduced in Eastern Africa from India at the beginning of the 20th

century (Fuglie, 2001).

M. oleifera is a medium-sized tree that reaches about 10m in height. It has a straight trunk about

10-30cm thick with bark that is whitish grey, corky, with longitudinal cracks. It also has a

tuberous taproot to tolerate drought conditions. The umbrella shaped tree comes with a loose

crown of feathery foliage. The foliage is evergreen or deciduous depending on the environment.

In season the tree is covered with creamy white, honey-scented flowers arranged in drooping

panicles. Flowers are insect pollinated and require a large number of insect visitations, with bees

the most common.

Figure 1: Moringa oleifera leaf, flower and seed ( Fuglie, 2001)

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Flowers and fruits (pods) occur once or twice a year depending on the climate, however, in

tropical areas, flowering and fruiting may occur year-round. The fruits are initially light green,

slim, and tender, but turn dark green and firm to brown at maturity stage. Most fruit shapes are

straight but few are wavy and some curly. Fully mature dried seeds are covered by a lightly

wooded shell with three papery wings.

4.2 Moringa tree uses

The Moringa tree has many potential uses, and as a result a great deal of research and

development has been done. Moringa is regarded as the “poor-person’s plant” with the promise

to benefit rural Africa. It shows the capacity to provide many different foods and other profitable

uses with minimum growing and harvesting input. The tree can also be used to combat

deforestation and to beautify streets and informal settlements.

Moringa leaves are an inexpensive source of proteins, vitamins and minerals for developing

countries. It is reported that the leaves contain more beta-carotene than carrots, more protein than

peas, more vitamin C than oranges, more calcium than milk, more potassium than bananas, and

more iron than spinach. Dried and milled leaves are easily stored and used by families who can

then add the powder to their daily meals. The powder can also be used by food businesses as a

nutritional additive to their products. Moringa leaves can help decrease developing countries

dependence on imported goods. Crushed seed of Moringa oleifera has been shown to be an

effective natural coagulant for the treatment of river waters exhibiting relatively high levels of

suspended solids (Fuglie, 2001). The leaves and twigs can be used as fodder for cattle.

Seeds of Moringa oleifera yield 25 - 30% of a non-drying oil, known as Ben oil, used for

lighting, in arts and for lubricating watches and other delicate machinery. Oil is clear, sweet and

odourless and turns rancid slowly, and as a result it is edible and useful in the manufacture of

perfumes and cosmetics This oil resembles olive oil and may be of some value as a constituent of

non-yellowing, non-drying plasticising alkyds It is highly valued by perfumers as it absorbs and

retains fugitive odours.

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Figure 2: Moringa seed

For the development of potential investment opportunities the three main uses of moringa can be

summarized as:

Dried leaf powder for human an animal consumption

Oil for human consumption and bio-fuel

Leaf, twigs and press cake as animal fodder.

Production systems could be developed for single product use or for multi- product use.

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Figure 3: Regrowth on pruned Moringa oleifera trees

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NUTRIONAL VALUE OF THE MORINGA LEAVES

Figure 4. Nutritional Value of Moringa leaves (adapted from Palada and Chang, 2003)

In Africa a multi-purpose crop, such as the Moringa tree, will benefit the food, biofuel and

several other industries. Several reports from Southern Africa strongly support that this “miracle

tree” would benefit the rural communities of Africa in which large scale plantations will provide

substantive real employment opportunities and provide a sustainable income for marginalised

communities. Moringa produce can be consumed or sold as a food source, cooking oil, fodder,

biofuel, as well as contribute to the improved quality of water supply in rural areas. This tree is

a suitable candidate for commercial establishment in different areas in Africa, as it, despite

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mostly naturally occurring in the tropics and sub-tropics, can tolerate higher temperature

extremes and/or survive light frost and tolerates a wide range of soil and rainfall conditions.

Benefits and potential uses of Moringa tree products include:

Leaves rich in vitamin C, potassium, calcium, protein and antioxidants, including

flavonoids and carotenoids for human consumption.

High quality cooking and edible seed oil

Oxidative stable biofuel

Seedcake for water purification

Seedcake and plant material for feed fodder

The development of Moringa plantations to improve socio-economic conditions of rural

communities is supported by various NGOs, the Trees for Life-, Church World Service- and

Educational Concerns for Hunger organisations.

4.3 Production plan development

As Moringa is a multi- product plant, the first step would be to identify the main products

that would be produced (leave powder, oil, feed fodder, etc). From this knowledge a specific

production plan (plant density, pruning, harvesting and processing practices) and actions

would be developed to optimize production of the specific product under specific growing

conditions. It is also advised to develop an integrated farming system whereby primary

products from the moringa tree can be used to produce secondary products on an in-farm

basis. The secondary produce could be realized from cattle, pig or chicken farming and

composting etc. Such an integrated system should stabilize income in volatile economic

conditions and thereby minimize risk.

The cost of plantation establishment would be determined by the production system (low,

medium or high density planting) used. In general this would vary from R 45 000 – R

150 000/ha. Indications are that a net profit of R 10 – R 15 per tree could be realized after

year 3 with a mix product production system. At a relative high density planting of 1600

plants/ha this could realize a net profit of R 33 000- R 49 500/ha/year.

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4.4 Job creation.

Moringa is an ideal vehicle for job creation and poverty alleviations in rural areas. From

production plans developed by us, the indications are that around 3- 5 permanent jobs are

created form the establishment of every 1 ha of moringa plantation. Seasonal jobs are not

accounted for in this value.

According to our preliminary research results with harvesting of trees (3-4 years old) at Hatfield Pretoria,

Gauteng, the following leaf yields were obtained:

Table 1. Preliminary harvest results.

Harvesting

%

Fresh mass

(g)

Dry mass

(g)

Dry mass (4

harvests/tree/year)

Dry mass per

ha (3330 trees)

Remarks*

pruned

25 895.23 g 200.60 g 802.40 g 2672 kg Pod development guaranteed

100 2569.44 g 533.64 g 2134.56 g 7108 kg Pod development not guaranteed

not pruned

100 4583.68 572.96 g 2291.84 g 7631.8 kg Pod development not guaranteed

*Climatic conditions not included in assumptions.

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Figure 5. A tree of which 25% of foliage has been removed.

Figure 6. A tree of which 100% of foliage has been removed. The tree will survive this

treatment as the buds in the axils of the current season branches are still intact.

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4.5 Sapling production system (young plants)

Moringa is an easy germinator, but the production of quality saplings for field production is

difficult. Young plants are prone to various insects, diseases and viruses and in general do

not grow very good in bag grown nursery conditions. Through experience we have

developed a successful sapling production system that addresses all difficult areas in the

production of strong healthy saplings. We have designed and are in the process of

manufacturing “ THE MORINGA BAG “ that produces better saplings that normal standard

bags. Dosing and spray programmes have been developed and are implemented

commercially.

Figure 7: Moringa oleifera seedlings in seedling trays.

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Figure 8: Moringa trees grown in plastic bags

Figure 9: Commercial production of Moringa seedlings

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Figure 10. A typical Moringa seedling

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4.6 Economic Model development

An Interactive economic model template for Moringa oleifera has been developed. The

model links all technical, horticultural and economic data and serves as a financial decision

making tool. It is the function of the model to incorporate all quantifiable assumptions,

uncertainties and risk involved in the potential project. The model is used to forecast

economic activity in such a way that conclusions can logically be related to assumptions.

Assumptions that are used include, economic, pricing and yield assumptions. From the

assumptions the Moringa crop budget on a hectare basis is developed. The Moringa crop

budget summarizes all cost and potential income associated for Moringa production on a

hectare basis. From the crop budget, job creation as well as cost of job creation can be

determined.

The model also focuses on the investment needed, direct cost, indirect cost, depreciation,

loan repayments and discounted cash flows. From these values the financials (income

statement, cash flow analysis and balance sheet for 10 years) are complied. To determine the

viability and rate of return the following discounted economic indicators are calculated

namely: NPV (net present value) and IRR (internal rate of return). A sensitivity analysis is

included to determine the sensitivity of NPV and IRR, if one or more of the main parameters

in the crop budget changes. For these types of projects, yield and price constitutes the main

risk and should be incorporated into the sensitivity analysis. A relevant economic model is

developed for each specific production plan.

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Economic model for Moringa olifera

Figure 11: Economic model outline: Moringa oleifera

Assumptions

Moringa Crop budget Indirect cost

Investment table Crop budget over Years

Depreciation Table Projected income statement

Projected Cash Flow Analysis Pro-forma Balance sheet

Economic Indicators

Sensitivity analysis

Loan Table

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4. OTHER SERVICES.

We have established a commercial sapling production system set up for the production of

field ready saplings. Depending on orders we have 80 000 plants in various growth stages on

hand at any stage. Thus we can supply sapling at competitive rates for projects. We

undertake contract growing for projects.

We can also assist in the set up and production systems for commercial nurseries for

moringa sapling production.